'Modern Family': Elizabeth Pena to play Gloria's mother

It’s time to meet two new members of the Modern family: Elizabeth Pena (La Bamba, Rush Hour) will guest-star as Pilar, the mother of Gloria (Sofia Vergara), on Modern Family. She appears in the 12th episode of the season alongside Gloria’s sister Sonia, who will be played by Stephanie Beatriz (The Closer).

“There’s a bit of a competitive relationship between Gloria and her sister that will be fun,” executive producer Christopher Lloyd told EW. “The mother is the formidable, domineering character in the family, and has a complicated relationship with Jay (Ed O’Neill). I’m not sure she’s ever completely accepted Jay, and they lock horns in the episode.”

Titled “Fulgencio,” the episode begins shooting on Monday.

Other guests on the ABC comedy’s fourth season include Matthew Broderick, Jason Mantzoukas, and Shelley Long.